So, you’ve been hearing a lot about WordPress but aren’t quite sure what it’s all about? No worries. We’ve got your back!
WordPress – a term that is essentially the backbone of the digital world, and yet, it might seem overwhelming to many.
If you are someone who has always wondered what WordPress is, how it functions, or how it can benefit you or your business, this blog post is designed specifically for you.
Let’s navigate through the world of WordPress!
What is WordPress?
WordPress is a free, open-source content management system (CMS) that gives users the freedom to create and manage their own websites and blogs.
Hold Up, What’s a CMS?
Before we dive any deeper, let’s take a minute to unpack what a CMS is. CMS stands for Content Management System. It might sound like tech jargon, but it’s just a tool that simplifies building and managing a website.
Think of a CMS as your personal digital toolbox for building websites. It’s kind of like using Lego for websites. You can add blocks (like blog posts, photos, or “about us” pages), move them around, or change their colours, and you don’t need to be a coding whizz to do it.
A CMS, like WordPress, takes care of all the complicated coding stuff in the background, so you can focus on the fun stuff, like creating awesome content and making your website look exactly how you want it to. It’s ideal for beginners but also powerful enough for web experts to create pretty much anything they want on the web.
Basically, WordPress is like the skeleton of a building, but for your website. You can build on, customise, and decorate the core structure to create your perfect online space.
WordPress has been around since 2003 and it now powers over 40% of all the websites on the Internet, which is quite impressive.
One of the primary reasons for WordPress’s immense popularity is its versatility. Whether you want to start a personal blog, build a business website, or set up an online store, WordPress can be your all-in-one solution.
WordPress.com vs WordPress.org: Understanding the Difference
When we talk about WordPress, it’s important to clarify that there are two different platforms: WordPress.com and WordPress.org.
WordPress.com
WordPress.com is a hosting service created by the co-founder of WordPress, Matt Mullenweg. This platform is user-friendly and requires minimal setup. It takes care of all the hosting aspects, allowing you to focus on the site’s content. However, you have limited control over the customisation and monetisation aspects.
WordPress.org
WordPress.org, often referred to as self-hosted WordPress, gives you complete control over your website. You can add free, paid, and custom WordPress plugins and themes and have complete control over the data and monetisation. The only trade-off is that you must manage your web hosting, which can be a bit complex for beginners.
Conclusion
WordPress is a powerful, flexible, and accessible platform for anyone looking to venture into the digital world. Whether you’re a hobby blogger, an aspiring entrepreneur, or an established business, WordPress provides an efficient way to create and manage your online presence.
